STREET CORNERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1835, 9 January 1880, Page 3

STREET CORNERS.

To the Editor of the Globe,

Sib, Undoubtedly, this little City of Christchurch may well be called the “ Land of the free and the brave.” A walk through a portion of High and Cashel streets—from Black’s corner to the A1 —on a Saturday night, ought to convince even the most sceptical individual that the title is deserved. In what other city, and with a Oft. path only, and in some places not more than 7ft. Gin. between the house side and the verandah post in other places, would loungers be allowed to block street corners ? Or, in what other crowded thoroughfare can people hold possession of narrow pavements while they discuss the weather and other important matters ? Now, I do not object to my progress being occasionally stopped, but when I meet a burly fellow, fresh from the land of oranges, with a blackthorn stick under his arm, travelling east and looking west, regardless of the consequences, I feel riled a little, especially if his kippeen is carried on an angle of forty-five. It is undoubtedly the loafer’s zenith to carry his umbrella bowsprit fashion. A few evenings back I saw a young lady’s eye nearly poked out by one of those careless pedestrians who carried his gingham under his arm, as he jogged along reading a playbill by the light of the gas, Thera are many like myself, surprised that, between the points named, they have never heard a policeman say “ Move on,” Retribution, however, will come. There are boys with a taste for the fine arts and window investigation who may, for instance, be seen with an eight or nine-foot length of half-inch gas pipe over their shoulders in the most crowded part of the pavement above mentioned. Might not some one of them, some day, spear a policemen or some other individual of equal value ? Now, Mr Editor, we come to the streets and street corners. Every man admits that the streets of Christchurch are too narrow, and it is admitted that vehicles of all descriptions drive round those corners at the rate of seven to nine miles an hour. A by-law was put in force some time ago prohibiting vehicles of all classes from driving round those corners at more than a walking pace. Is the by-law bad, or is it the R.M’s. ruling that is faulty ? Wherever the fault lies the matter should be put right before any more accidents occur.

The other day, Mr Mellish himself, driving up Cashel street, was all but in collision with a carrier’s cart, coming out of Colombo street South. Now, Mr Editor, if the by-laws are worth anything, why does not the R.M. give them bis favorable consideration, and protect the public p If they are worth nothing, why is the Chief Magistrate of the city not called on to perfect the by-law and save both the life and limbs of the public. Yours, &e., ARTIMAS.